The effect of beta-alanine supplementation and exhaustive activity on carnosine levels, pH, blood lactate and muscle strength of male judo athletes

Abstract :

Background: Beta-alanine supplementation is a precursor to carnosine, which increases intramuscular carnosine, and the buffering effect may play a role in reducing lactic acid accumulation and improving performance The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of beta-alanine supplementation during exhaustive exercise on carnosine levels, pH, blood lactate, and muscle strength in male judokas athletes.

Methods: 20 judo athletes (mean age 23.26 ± 3.07, body mass index 23.12 ± 2.05) were purposively selected based on inclusion and exclusion criteria, and then the subjects were randomly divided into two groups of 10 people consuming beta-alanine and a placebo group. Performance testing and blood tests were performed before and after exhausting activity (chest press and leg press) with an intensity of 70 to 75% of 1RM in three sets until exhaustion in both groups. The day after the pre-test, supplementation and placebo were started at 6 grams per day at the specified hours for 4 weeks, and the post-tests were re-evaluated after the end of the period. statistical method was used via SPSS21 software The Shapiro-Wilk test and analysis of covariance with a significance level of 0.05 were used to analyze the data.

RESULTS: There was no significant difference between the two groups of beta-alanine and placebo supplementation in performance indicators (P>0/05).

Regarding blood indices, results showed that plasma carnosine increased in beta-alanine supplementation group compared with placebo group(p=0/001) (with an effect size of 0/78), and the level of blood lactate after β-alanine supplementation decreased significantly (P<=0/035) ) (with an effect size of 0/56). However, there was no significant difference in the blood pH between the groups after the β-alanine supplementation (p>0/05).

Conclusion: Finally, The results of the study showed that beta-alanine supplementation during the study period improved carnosine levels and reduced blood lactate levels after exhaustive exercise, and may have long-term beneficial effects on performance in professional male judokas

References:


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